Regulators for Tech Diving

[supajaydub]

Hi all,

Well this is the deal, my curent regs that I have been using for recreational diving are leaking air continuously, despite being serviced at 9 months and then at 14 months. The even started leaking again after the first dive after they were serviced.

So anyway I'm looking to get a new set and I would like to be able to use them for the tech course I will be doing this year.

From what I have seen here in Dubai, I can get the following:

Scubapro
1st Stages
MK17 or MK25

2nd Stages
S555 or S600 or A700 or G250V

Apeks
1st Stage
Tek 3

2nd Stage
XTX 100

Now I dive in both warm water (here in Dubai) but also in cold water down to 5 degrees Celsius when I dive in Cape Town South Africa, so the regs would have to be cold water rated.

So which reg should I be looking at that would stand me in good stead when I am eventually neck deep in the tech diving setup.

Also, DIN vs YOKE? Most of the dive shops here use the YOKE setups on the rental tanks so I would it be best to get a straight YOKE connection or a DIN with an adapter, this would only apply when doing normal recreational dives.

Thanks

supaJAYdub

 

[SandyRobinson]

What kind of regs do you have now? I have never heard of regs leaking as you described above. Depending on the reg, I may question the techician rather than the reg. If that is the case, I am not sure I would bu a reg at the same place.

As far as the regs you asked about, SP makes a great reg and parts are free as long as you keep the servicing up to date per the warranty. Since i normally dive 19C or warmer, somone else can talk about cold water and also the Apeks.

As far as DIN vs yoke, I would go with DIN and a yoke adapter as needed. That is what I have done with no issues.

Good luck.

 

[supajaydub]

The regs I have now are Aqualung Kronos Supreme, and no I won't be buying anything significant from that store again, the SP and Apeks gear are from a new store and they are actually busy doing function testing on my Kronos regs now to check them before doing a full service, but I still want to get rid of them because I'm none to pleased about this kind of "failure" after little over a years worth of use despite servicing and the usually thorough post dive cleaning and rinsing.

 

[Jorgy]

If a brand name reg "leaks" I would question the servicing itself........

So if you buy a great expensive reg and you get poor service than you end up with a poor reg regardless of how much you spend.......

Can you find another shop/service center?

M

 

[H2O 70]

Personally I'm a big fan of Apeks.

In reference to your ScubaPro choices. The MK25 is not suitable for cold water. Even detuned I've had my MK25 freeze open countless times in >40degreeF water. I'd lean more towards the MK17. It is sealed.

Some Sherwoods were designed to leak.

 

[PfcAJ]

Din is a must for your regs. Using an adapter is fine when you're doing single tank rec diving.

Mk17s with g250v primary and s555 backup would be my choice if I was diving in both cold and warm water.

 

[TSandM]

As far as the ScubaPro regs go, I have to disagree about the Mk25. I know they aren't supposed to be good cold water regs, but I've had mine for four years and have dived them in water down to 41 degrees, and have had no problems with them at all. That said, I probably wouldn't buy them if I were buying new for cold water. DA Aquamaster, who seems extremely knowledgeable about ScubaPro regs, recommends the Mk17/G250 instead.

 

[SurDo2]

Apeks.

 

[Mr. Sunday]

another for Apeks. love my DS4/XTX50's

(The SP regs are good too and would not be a bad choice)

 

[elan]

SP MK17/G250V or Tek3/XTX50 or 100. Din with yoke adapter . I would also recommend keeping the Aqualung for the rec diving. It's annoying to switch the regs back and forth between rec/teck setups. have Just find a good technician, who can fix your reg.